Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], November 25 (ANI): Co-hosts India will open their title defence on the ICC Males’s T20 World Cup 2026 with a marquee evening fixture towards the US at Mumbai’s iconic Wankhede Stadium on February 7, setting the tone for what guarantees to be a spectacular opening day of cricket throughout the subcontinent. Former champions Pakistan and the West Indies can even function on day one, taking part in on the historic Sinhalese Sports activities Membership (SSC) in Colombo and the Eden Gardens in Kolkata, respectively, as per a media launch from the Worldwide Cricket Council (ICC).
The world’s largest cricket venue, the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, has been earmarked to host the ultimate on March 8, in a match that can span eight electrifying venues throughout India and Sri Lanka. The MA Chidambaram Stadium (Chennai), Arun Jaitley Stadium (New Delhi), Wankhede Stadium (Mumbai), Eden Gardens (Kolkata), R Premadasa Stadium (Colombo), Sinhalese Sports activities Membership Cricket Floor (Colombo) and Pallekele Worldwide Cricket Stadium (Kandy) spherical out the total listing of host venues. The whole schedule was unveiled at a glittering ceremony in Mumbai at the moment.
ICC Chairman Jay Shah presided over the occasion, which showcased the fixtures. Sharing the stage had been Rohit Sharma, the ICC Males’s T20 World Cup-winning captain and newly appointed ICC Model Ambassador, India’s T20 captain Suryakumar Yadav, and India girls’s captain and reigning ICC CWC 2025 winner Harmanpreet Kaur.
The occasion will observe the identical profitable format utilized in 2024, when India lifted the trophy in Barbados. Twenty groups have been divided into 4 teams of 5, with the highest two from every progressing to the Tremendous Eights, the place groups will likely be positioned in accordance with pre-determined seedings.
India will face Pakistan on February 15 at R Premadasa Stadium for his or her Group A encounter.
If Pakistan qualifies for the semi-finals, Colombo’s R Premadasa Stadium will exchange Kolkata because the host of Semi-Ultimate 1. Ought to Pakistan attain the ultimate, that venue can even shift from Ahmedabad to Colombo.
If India and Pakistan meet within the semi-finals, that match will likely be staged in Colombo, whereas Mumbai will host Semi-Ultimate 2 involving India in the event that they face any staff apart from Pakistan.
Jay Shah, Sanjog Gupta and Rohit Sharma welcomed the announcement of the schedule and appeared ahead to the match.
Jay Shah, ICC Chairman, stated, ‘It’s great to welcome the ICC Males’s T20 World Cup again to the subcontinent so quickly after a groundbreaking Ladies’s Cricket World Cup. The fervour for cricket on this area is unmatched, and followers have been ready eagerly for an additional world spectacle. The announcement of the fixtures brings us a step nearer, and I’ve little doubt that the 5 venues in India and three in Sri Lanka will likely be alive with vitality all through the match,’ as quoted from a launch by ICC.
‘The T20 format continues to drive the game’s world growth and will likely be showcased on the LA Olympics in 2028. With that in thoughts, the 2026 version will seize the creativeness of tens of millions. One can already image the electrical environment on the Narendra Modi Stadium when the champions raise the trophy on 8 March,’ he added.
Sanjog Gupta, ICC CEO, stated, ‘The ICC Males’s T20 World Cup is predicted to usher in a brand new period of world, marquee Cricketing occasions, each by way of the athletic spectacle and fan experiences on supply. We have now seen six totally different champions in lower than 20 years of the match’s historical past, which demonstrates the aggressive nature of the competitors. With 20 groups from 5 continents vying for the title in Cricket’s most unpredictable format and the match returning after a decade to its greatest market, this guarantees to be a feast for Cricket followers all over the world. The ICC, together with its companions, are dedicated to delivering unmatched immersive experiences of this extravaganza throughout a number of touchpoints to widen and deepen fandom for the game.’
Rohit Sharma stated, ‘I’ve the nice fortune of successful this match two instances and may say from expertise that every win on this match is a particular one. I gained the title in 2007 as a teenager after which lifted it as captain in 2024, however it’s not simply the ultimate that I bear in mind with as a lot fondness. Many different matches additionally stand out to me with equal fondness. In a World Cup, each match is massive and rather a lot is at stake.’
‘Surya’s good catch that gained us the match towards South Africa in Barbados final time, Virat’s knock towards Pakistan in Melbourne in 2022, and Yuvraj’s six sixes towards England in Durban in 2007 are a few of the most exhilarating moments ever on a cricket area,’ he added.
‘It’s nice to have the match again in India and for me to be related as soon as once more with the match, this time in a brand new capability because the Model Ambassador. I want all of the gamers the easiest and hope they’ve a memorable time and luxuriate in India’s hospitality whereas taking again quite a lot of reminiscences,’ he famous.
India and Sri Lanka are internet hosting the ICC Males’s T20 World Cup for the second time. Sri Lanka had been the hosts of the 2012 version whereas India hosted it in 2016, with West Indies successful each the editions.
India (2007 and 2024) and England (2010 and 2022) are the opposite groups to win the championship greater than as soon as whereas Pakistan (2009), Sri Lanka (2014) and Australia (2021) are the opposite previous winners.
Group A: India, USA, Namibia, Netherlands, PakistanGroup B: Australia, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, Eire, OmanGroup C: England, West Indies, Bangladesh, Italy, NepalGroup D: South Africa, New Zealand, Afghanistan, Canada, UAEAll Group B matches, that includes co-hosts Sri Lanka, will happen completely throughout Sri Lankan venues. All of Pakistan’s matches can even be performed in Sri Lanka. (ANI)
